HOLDEN & ARTS ASSOCIATES
SHARING STORIES AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS SINCE 1983
MADDI'S FRIDGE
By Anne Negri
Based on the book by Lois Brandt and illustrated by Vin Vogel
Produced by Childsplay
From Tempe, AZ
Resources
About the Company
Maddi and Sofia are best friends. They live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the park together. Maddi is really good at climbing the rock wall, while Sofia is a fast runner. One day Sofia discovers that Maddi has no food in her fridge at home, but Maddi makes her promise not to tell anyone and to keep it a secret.
What should Sofia do? She sneaks food for Maddi in her bag and discovers that while fish and eggs are good for people, they aren’t very good for backpacks. Despite Sofia’s very best efforts, Maddi’s fridge is still empty. Can Sofia find a way to keep her word but also help her best friend? Based on the book by Lois Brandt, this play is a thoughtful and funny exploration of friendship, empathy, and doing the right thing.
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​“As a play that shows us children working out social dilemma on their own terms, “Maddi’s Fridge reflects Childsplay’s respect for young audiences and offers a few chuckles along the way” - AZ Central review
Best for Grades: 1st–6th
Audience Size: Medium to Large Venues
Please contact us to watch an archival full length recording.
Curriculum Connections
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Fine Arts: Performance, Design, Adapting a book into a play
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Language Arts: Literacy, Reading and Writing, Character, Narrative and Structure
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Social Studies: Childhood Hunger, Food Insecurity in Communities, Poverty
Science: Nutrition, Health -
Emotional/Social Development: 21st Century Learning, Asking for Help and Helping Others, Problem Solving, Perseverance, Empathy, Friendship
Outreach and Workshops
With advance notice, Childpslay is able to offer drama based workshops in your venue for students or children. Please contact your HAA agent during the booking process if this is something you'd like to explore.
Sensory Friendly Performances
This performance is available as a “sensory friendly” or “relaxed” performance if arranged with the company in advance and with specific direction as to what adjustments are necessary for your venue.
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Minimum Technical Requirements
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Load in: 4-5 hours
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Crew Needs: 4 minimum to load in (carpenters/electricians/sound), 1 crew member to run light board during the show, show crew to strike.
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Min. Stage Size: 25 feet wide by 25 feet deep by 15 feet high
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Soft goods: 3 sets of legs and borders, 1 full black US
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Sound: Sound reinforcement with six (6) available inputs and four (4) minimum outputs, two (2) monitors
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Lighting: Theatrical Lighting required. Childsplay will provide the plot and gobos
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Load out: 1.5 hours
Artistic Team
Playwright: Anne Negri
Director: Jenny Millinger
Scenic Designer: Holly Windingstad
Costume Designer: Holly Windingstad
Lighting Designer: Kara Ramlow
Sound Designer: Christopher Neumeyer
Puppet Designer: Liz Ihlenfeld
The Touring Company will consist of 3 performers and 1 stage manager, TBD.
Critical Acclaim
“As a play that shows us children working out social dilemma on their own terms, “Maddi’s Fridge reflects Childsply’s respect for young audiences and offers a few chuckles along the way” - AZ Central review
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"Maddi’s Fridge left us full of compassion and taught us new lessons" says Family2Family Blogger Staci.
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"Great performance! Great story to share that raises awareness about children and food insecurity!” – Audience member
“A great experience with my 7-year-old daughter. Introducing her to theater and she was captivated. Wonderful message and beautifully acted.” – Audience member
“This was a wonderful show, presenting an important topic in an excellent way!” – Audience member
The book “Maddi’s Fridge” has won the following awards:
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International Literacy Association (ILA) Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award Winner, Primary Fiction 2015
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Christopher Award Winner, Books for Young People, 2015
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10 Best Indie Picture Books of 2014, Foreword Reviews
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Michigan Mitten Honor Book, 2015
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Nevada Young Reader Award list, 2016
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WA Children’s Choice Award list, 2015-16
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Selected as one of 30 books that embody the six core tenets of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (food, health, safety, education, shelter, and participation) and included in the Human Rights in Children’s Literature exhibition at the University of Connecticut in 2016
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Great Texas Mosquito List 2019-2020
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Included on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Book Club Reading List 2019 – Goal 2, Zero Hunger
Learn more about the book and find reviews via the publisher's website here.
Company Background
Past Tours: Go, Dog. Go!, The Cat in the Hat, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Rock the Presidents, Tomás and the Library Lady and Maddi's Fridge (2019-20 season)
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Since 1977, Childsplay has been committed to its mission: “To create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love, and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, those hallmarks of childhood that are the keys to the future.”
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Childsplay is a resident professional company of adult actors who teach and perform for young audiences and families. The internationally respected theatre company believes that young people deserve to experience theatre of the highest artistic quality. Childsplay has performed for more than 5 million children and adults and has grown to serve an average annual audience of 250,000 children, teachers and families. Childsplay's recent national tours include Tomás and the Library Lady in the 2007-2008 and 2013-2014 seasons, Peter and the Wolf in 2009-2010, Ferdinand the Bull in 2010-2011, Rock the Presidents in 2012 – 2013, 2016-2017, Schoolhouse Rock Live in 2014-2015 and Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat in 2015- 2016, 2016 - 2017.
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In addition to Childsplay’s professional productions, it’s educational programming has expanded dramatically in response to the needs of school partners. Over 1,500 young people attend classes each year in the Childsplay Theatre Academy and nearly 5,000 students experience drama directly in their classrooms through Childsplay’s Education Outreach programs. These programs emphasize experiential learning, language acquisition and literacy competency – essential precursors to overall academic achievement and long-term success across all subject areas. Childsplay believes that by continuing to create strikingly original theatre and connecting to young people’s learning potential, we can build a generation of creative learners, innovative thinkers and dynamic leaders.
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Visit the company's website!
Gallery of Past Productions
